Felix Adler papers, 1830-1933

Collection context

Creator:
Adler, Felix, 1851-1933
Abstract:
Felix Adler, religious leader and educator, taught courses in social and political ethics at Columbia between 1902 and 1933. The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, notes, photographs, and printed materials.
Extent:
27 linear feet (86 boxes 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English , Hebrew , German .
Scope and content:

Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, notes, photographs, and printed materials. Included are letters from the leaders and members of the Society for Ethical Culture which Adler founded in 1876; the ethical movement abroad; religious and political figures; and extensive correspondence with his family, particularly his wife, Helen Goldmark Adler, to whom Adler wrote long, detailed letters about his activities. The family letters date back to his parents' generation when they were still living in Germany and many are in German and Hebrew. Among the correspondents are Louis D. Brandeis, John Dewey, Abraham Geiger, Charles Evans Hughes, William James, Jacob Riis, and Lillian Wald. There is a series of typescript copies of letters to and from Adler which were probably prepared for Adler's wife and daughter Eleanor as working copies for a projected life and letters of Adler. Both have made annotations on the copies, The manuscripts and typescripts span Adler's life. Included are childhood and school days poems and essays, and later manuscripts for published and unpublished lectures, articles, essays, books, notes, diaries, and random jottings on a wide range of topics: ethics, morality, philosophy, theology, Bible, Judaism, politics, social reform, arts and letters. There is a full set of lecture notes for his courses at Columbia University. In addition to his voluminous diary entires, he also kept records of conversations with individuals he met over the years.

Also included are records for the Society for Ethical Culture and its schools.

There is an incomplete index of personal names for Classification 200 only.

Biographical / historical:

Felix Adler (Columbia A.B., 1870), religious leader and educator, taught courses in social and political ethics at Columbia between 1902 and 1933.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The following boxes are located off-site: 6-86. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Felix Adler papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu